Two weekends at PIR

jose100fires · 03-04-2009, 10:06 PM

So, just completed two weekends in a row of track days at PIR (Portland, Or). Both days were dry and beautiful, but cold. I run with some mods (don't want to be too particular here) and stock suspension and tires. I did replace my brake fluid between the two weekends b/c of some bad brake fade on first day. The competition fluid was exactly what I needed. I am an instructor for one of the sport car clubs hosting one of the days. Here are some of my thoughts:

The car is great - neutral throughout, that bad push that everyone talks about is not that bad at all if you modulate with throttle input. Turn in is good, but body roll takes the bite out of it. Once in the corner the car is very predictable and can be pushed very hard. At limit, some oversteer, but controllable.

Coming out of the corner is this car's strength. With all aids off and the ELSD on, I could leave most everyone on my tail behind. The pull is awesome and the car just squatted and took off! My good friend Peter in his 993 C4, coil-overs, engine mods, exhaust, ect.. was astounded. Quote "no way I could keep up with that little bimmer out of the corners unbelievable".

Straights - man, this car is quick. Since I didn't want to cook my pads I kept my speed down, but the only cars passing me were the vets (Z06) and the GT3 and 2's (expected, even with mods....) Back straight is a off camber long sweep to the left then right. This corner can claim it's victims (a totaled Neon SRT this day - lift induced spin) The 135 was stable - no drama.

Braking - I'm a bit hesitant to change my pads (see thread on this) so I can recommend that a change in fluid can do wonders. Once I changed the fluid, it was like a different car. I experienced no fade (1/2 hour runs) and could brake to the limit every time, if I wanted to. Once I can get some pads on this beast - I will really throw some anchor.

What I will change - I really want to improve turn in (don't get me wrong, it's great, but it could be better) and keep flat in the corners - so I think I am going to do coil-overs, then some pads. I would love to do some new, non staggered tires and wheels, but I have to be honest - my run flats did pretty good. I really think the stronger sidewall is good for track use. Now, if it rains - they really suck. I don't think I can afford both coil overs and tires and wheels, so coil overs it will be...

I really am impressed with this car - it is so much fun and it's great that I can drive it home after a hard day at the track.

Car Whore · 03-04-2009, 10:37 PM

awesome quick review/comments... I'm amidst interviews with my company and it looks like I'll be living in Portland. Looking forward to meeting up with you at PIR!!

jose100fires · 03-05-2009, 09:46 AM

Car Whore - PM me when you get into town, I'll be happy to give you the low down on PDX. GET READY TO RACE IN THE RAIN!!!!!

SLO · 03-05-2009, 09:59 AM

jose, glad to hear that there are some experiences track guys with 1ers in Portland. I take delivery in April and I'll definitely see you out there.

What car club do you instruct for? It's been a couple of years but I brought my TiAg 330i out there 2002 - 2004 and then an Imola Red M3 from 2005 - 2006. I can't wait to track the 135i, though!!

jose100fires · 03-05-2009, 01:08 PM

SLO - Team Continental - PM me if you want to discuss tracking with us!

SLO · 03-05-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jose100fires

SLO - Team Continental - PM me if you want to discuss tracking with us!

Will do...it's gonna be a month or two but I'm excited to be back out.

Did I see you driving down Front (Naito Parkway) today around 11:45am?

Car Whore · 03-05-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jose100fires

Car Whore - PM me when you get into town, I'll be happy to give you the low down on PDX. GET READY TO RACE IN THE RAIN!!!!!

Awesome man - Thanks. Also my cousin is into 944 club racing and another friend has many folks involved in e30 racing so it looks like we'll be spending a lot of time chewing asphalt.

jose100fires · 03-06-2009, 08:23 AM

SLO - you likely did - was getting pizza for an office thing....

Here is a photo of last weekend....

SLO · 03-06-2009, 12:08 PM

Yep, spotted!

amigo · 03-27-2009, 12:50 AM

Hello Jose. I am going to PIR on April 13 . for a BMW club event. I haven't been on PIR since '83ish, before the Indy chicane was installed. Will you be there.
Love the Blue, I am jealous, I didn't know about it when I ordered mine, oh well an excuse to get a new one in a couple of years.

jose100fires · 04-14-2009, 10:06 PM

Hey Amigo - sorry I missed your message - I haven't been back in a while. Hope you had fun at the track. PM when you are going again!

03-04-2009, 10:06 PM	#1
jose100fires Private 10 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 135i/ Montego Blau Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Two weekends at PIR So, just completed two weekends in a row of track days at PIR (Portland, Or). Both days were dry and beautiful, but cold. I run with some mods (don't want to be too particular here) and stock suspension and tires. I did replace my brake fluid between the two weekends b/c of some bad brake fade on first day. The competition fluid was exactly what I needed. I am an instructor for one of the sport car clubs hosting one of the days. Here are some of my thoughts: The car is great - neutral throughout, that bad push that everyone talks about is not that bad at all if you modulate with throttle input. Turn in is good, but body roll takes the bite out of it. Once in the corner the car is very predictable and can be pushed very hard. At limit, some oversteer, but controllable. Coming out of the corner is this car's strength. With all aids off and the ELSD on, I could leave most everyone on my tail behind. The pull is awesome and the car just squatted and took off! My good friend Peter in his 993 C4, coil-overs, engine mods, exhaust, ect.. was astounded. Quote "no way I could keep up with that little bimmer out of the corners unbelievable". Straights - man, this car is quick. Since I didn't want to cook my pads I kept my speed down, but the only cars passing me were the vets (Z06) and the GT3 and 2's (expected, even with mods....) Back straight is a off camber long sweep to the left then right. This corner can claim it's victims (a totaled Neon SRT this day - lift induced spin) The 135 was stable - no drama. Braking - I'm a bit hesitant to change my pads (see thread on this) so I can recommend that a change in fluid can do wonders. Once I changed the fluid, it was like a different car. I experienced no fade (1/2 hour runs) and could brake to the limit every time, if I wanted to. Once I can get some pads on this beast - I will really throw some anchor. What I will change - I really want to improve turn in (don't get me wrong, it's great, but it could be better) and keep flat in the corners - so I think I am going to do coil-overs, then some pads. I would love to do some new, non staggered tires and wheels, but I have to be honest - my run flats did pretty good. I really think the stronger sidewall is good for track use. Now, if it rains - they really suck. I don't think I can afford both coil overs and tires and wheels, so coil overs it will be... I really am impressed with this car - it is so much fun and it's great that I can drive it home after a hard day at the track.
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03-04-2009, 10:37 PM	#2
Car Whore Private First Class 7 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 944 Cup Car - Excursion - R32 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Renton, Wa iTrader: (0)	awesome quick review/comments... I'm amidst interviews with my company and it looks like I'll be living in Portland. Looking forward to meeting up with you at PIR!! __________________ \| JB3 :: BMS DCI :: BMS CDV :: RR Catless DP's :: Code3 FMIC \| *420whp \| 494 wtq - Map 8 on approx. 97 octane* Euro Delivery - Munich \| 10.24.08 @ 10:30am >> Dropped Off - Amsterdam \| 10.31.08 @ 1:30pm :: 1469 mi.
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03-05-2009, 09:46 AM	#3
jose100fires Private 10 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 135i/ Montego Blau Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Car Whore - PM me when you get into town, I'll be happy to give you the low down on PDX. GET READY TO RACE IN THE RAIN!!!!!
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03-05-2009, 09:59 AM	#4
SLO Shane 41 Rep 363 Posts Drives: M3, RRS, LR4 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	jose, glad to hear that there are some experiences track guys with 1ers in Portland. I take delivery in April and I'll definitely see you out there. What car club do you instruct for? It's been a couple of years but I brought my TiAg 330i out there 2002 - 2004 and then an Imola Red M3 from 2005 - 2006. I can't wait to track the 135i, though!!
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03-05-2009, 01:08 PM	#5
jose100fires Private 10 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 135i/ Montego Blau Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	SLO - Team Continental - PM me if you want to discuss tracking with us!
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03-06-2009, 08:23 AM	#8
jose100fires Private 10 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 135i/ Montego Blau Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	SLO - you likely did - was getting pizza for an office thing.... Here is a photo of last weekend.... Attached Images
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03-06-2009, 12:08 PM	#9
SLO Shane 41 Rep 363 Posts Drives: M3, RRS, LR4 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Yep, spotted!
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03-27-2009, 12:50 AM	#10
amigo Enlisted Member 4 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 135i AW,Coral red,Msport,09 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vancouver,B.C. iTrader: (0)	Hello Jose. I am going to PIR on April 13 . for a BMW club event. I haven't been on PIR since '83ish, before the Indy chicane was installed. Will you be there. Love the Blue, I am jealous, I didn't know about it when I ordered mine, oh well an excuse to get a new one in a couple of years.
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04-14-2009, 10:06 PM	#11
jose100fires Private 10 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 135i/ Montego Blau Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Hey Amigo - sorry I missed your message - I haven't been back in a while. Hope you had fun at the track. PM when you are going again!
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